Microsoft Says Windows Phone 7.5 Will Ship in Next Week or Two

Microsoft today revealed that it intends to deliver Windows Phone 7.5, previously codenamed Mango, to customers in the next week or two. This indicates that development of the upgrade, which includes both Microsoft and partner code, is now complete.

"For months, we and dozens of our partner companies have been laying the groundwork for the Windows Phone 7.5 update and making solid progress," Microsoft's Eric Hautala wrote in a blog post. "As a result, we now expect to start rolling it out in the next week or two. At that time, we'll also refresh the Where's My Phone Update? table to reflect the worldwide rollout status."

Hautala also warned users against downloading and installing unofficial or leaked copies of Windows Phone software. Why? Because these unofficial copies aren't the complete Mango package and don't include the crucial device- and hardware maker-specific updates.

He also noted that you can prepare for the coming rolling update--which will hopefully go a lot more smoothly and quickly than this year's previous Windows Phone software updates--by grabbing the latest Zune PC software (for Windows users) or Windows Phone 7 Connector (for Mac).

Ladies and gentlemen, get your handsets ready. Mango is on the way. My review of this major update to Windows Phone will be available next week.